A PILOT STUDY OF YIN YOGA AND THE EFFECTS ON BURDEN AND SELF-COMPASSION IN CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA

Abstract Informal caregivers for persons with dementia face tremendous challenges in balancing their own needs and those of the care recipient. The purpose of this pilot study was to test the feasibility and acceptability of a Yin yoga intervention on caregiver burden and self-compassion. Authors explored recruitment, retention, adherence, and satisfaction with the yoga intervention. Using the three elements of the Neff’s Model of Self-compassion, this pilot study was a quasi-experimental pre/post comparisons of caregiver burden (Zarit Burden Interview Scale-ZBI) and self-compassion (Neff Self-compassion Scale-SCS) in which the participants served as their own control group. A total of five participants (N=5) were recruited and completed an 8-week Yin yoga intervention via Zoom. Statistical analysis revealed non-significant results for ZBI (t (4) = .95, p= .39) and SCS (t(4) = -.23, p= .83). Wilcoxon signed rank test identified two questions on ZBI pre-and post-intervention had differences approaching significance (p= .059). Despite the non-significant results, burden was decreased in three participants and self-compassion scores were increased in four participants. The main perceived benefits were ease of survey process, feeling relaxed after intervention, and treatment fidelity. The main barriers identified were recruitment and retention of participants throughout the 8-week intervention. Overall, we found the study protocol to be feasible and acceptable. Possible modifications to the study would include extending the scope of the study nationally in efforts to recruit maximum participants. Future research is needed with larger sample sizes, randomization, control of confounding variables, and efforts to promote recruitment and retention of participants.


PERCEIVED COGNITIVE FUNCTION: RELATIONSHIPS WITH DIABETES COMPLICATIONS AND SELF-EFFICACY IN LATINX OLDER ADULTS Shenell Wood, and Heather Cuevas, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States
Cognitive dysfunction is a concern for individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and can affect diabetes self-management.However, it is often overlooked clinically and remains relatively understudied in Latinx older adults as a complication of T2DM.This project sought to explore the relationships between perceived cognitive dysfunction and its effects on self-efficacy and complications of T2DM in older Latinx adults.This was part of an analysis of baseline data from a larger randomized controlled trial investigating an cognitive rehabilitation intervention for older adults with T2DM.A total of 87 participants (mean age 67.3 +/-5.4) completed a survey consisting of the Diabetes Empowerment Scale -short form (self-efficacy); PROMIS Bank v.2 -Cognitive Function (perceived cognitive function); and a self-report of number and type of diabetes complications.Participants had lower perceived cognitive dysfunction than the general population (Mean total score: 36.6 +/-7.9);low self-efficacy (mean total score: 2.3 +/-0.7) and reported at least 2 complications related to T2DM.Greater perceived cognitive dysfunction was related to lower self-efficacy (p = 0.04).Diabetes duration was positively associated with self-efficacy (p = 0.03), but not perceived cognitive dysfunction (p = 0.22).Self-efficacy was positively associated with number of diabetes complications (p = 0.03).Irrespective of diabetes duration, patients with more severe perceived cognitive dysfunction reported lower self-efficacy (p = 0.03) than those with lower levels of cognitive dysfunction.Assessment of cognitive function may help inform patient education interventions for Latinx older adults to improve the self-efficacy and potentially reduce complications.The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) services over 9 million Veterans; approximately half are older than 65 years of age.Veterans are at a higher risk of comorbidities, including obesity and related chronic diseases, which contributes to higher health care costs, mobility disability, poor quality of life and even death.Gerofit is a VA Best Practice and Whole Health clinical exercise program for Veterans >65yrs that has positively impacted physical functioning, mental health symptoms, medication burden and 10-year mortality.This project describes the development of a comprehensive wellness and health promotion program incorporated into Gerofit, called Whole Healthy Aging Gerofit (WHAG).This novel program implemented wellness components to supplement the Gerofit in-person or virtual exercise options, including health education seminars, mindfulness classes, yoga classes, nutrition education classes, produce pick up service, and the Companion Dog Fostering program.WHAG deliverables included class attendance, individual Personal Health Inventories, observed physical function, self-reported physical activity levels, diet quality, perceived mental health, and Veteran satisfaction.The average Gerofit participant is approximately 73 years old, with obesity and multiple comorbid conditions (n=16), takes 10 medications, and is functionally impaired as assessed by gait speed (1.04 m/s).Programs that target healthy aging are needed to ensure the health of the population as it ages.This pilot program, WHAG, is one example of a comprehensive, patient centered wellness program that supports participants in setting their own goals and definitions of wellness to promote healthy aging.Informal caregivers for persons with dementia face tremendous challenges in balancing their own needs and those of the care recipient.The purpose of this pilot study was to test the feasibility and acceptability of a Yin yoga intervention on caregiver burden and self-compassion.Authors explored recruitment, retention, adherence, and satisfaction with the yoga intervention.Using the three elements of the Neff's Model of Self-compassion, this pilot study was a quasi-experimental pre/post comparisons of caregiver burden (Zarit Burden Interview Scale-ZBI) and selfcompassion (Neff Self-compassion Scale-SCS) in which the participants served as their own control group.A total of five participants (N=5) were recruited and completed an 8-week Yin yoga intervention via Zoom.Statistical analysis revealed non-significant results for ZBI (t (4) = .95,p= .39)and SCS (t(4) = -.23,p= .83).Wilcoxon signed rank test identified two questions on ZBI pre-and post-intervention had differences approaching significance (p= .059).Despite the non-significant results, burden was decreased in three participants and self-compassion scores were increased in four participants.The main perceived benefits were ease of survey process, feeling relaxed after intervention, and treatment fidelity.The main barriers identified were recruitment and retention of participants throughout the 8-week intervention.Overall, we found the study protocol to be feasible and acceptable.Possible modifications to the study would include extending the scope of the study nationally in efforts to recruit maximum participants.Future research is needed with larger sample sizes, randomization, control of confounding variables, and efforts to promote recruitment and retention of participants.Older adults with advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are living longer given improved treatment effectiveness.Little is known about their unmet supportive care needs and their caregivers' needs, some of which may be addressed by palliative care.Previous studies of palliative care in populations facing liver disease have cited difficulty with recruitment.This is a cross-sectional study at a single academic medical center in NYC that uses validated survey instruments and qualitative interviews to explore caregiver support for those receiving treatments for HCC.We recruited patients with liver disease, and caregivers of patients 60 years or older.Validated survey instruments were used to collect data and a qualitative interview is conducted that focuses on the experience of supporting a loved one with HCC.65% (13/20) participants were over the age of 60.PDSA framework was used to improve recruitment to four caregivers thus far.Results showed that language matters.Recruitment materials were updated from "palliative" to "supportive" care, to reduce stigma and fear of worsening health status and the perception of burden.Older adults value their independence and are not likely to identify a "caregiver".They may be more willing to identify a loved one who is there to help.90% of older adults identified a caregiver using the Duke Social Support Index.Thoughtfulness and adaptability are necessary when recruiting amongst this vulnerable yet increasingly independent population.Furthermore, older adults facing liver disease may be solo agers with no caregiver, increasing the need for supportive care as their disease progresses.Filipino Americans remain one of the most underrepresented groups in research.It is challenging to identify the healthcare needs related to palliative and end-oflife care, especially among family caregivers.Palliative care is not yet well known in general, including among Filipino immigrants.Most people seem to adjust to the caregiver role and recover from Trauma/Emotional strain.However, some experience a long-lasting decline in their mental and physical health.This study will fill the gap in our understanding of the experiences of bereaved Filipino American family caregivers who have provided palliative and end-of-life care to their loved ones.This study aimed to explore the opportunities and challenges faced by Filipino American family caregivers who provided palliative and end-of-life care to their loved ones in the United States.The study also examined the impact of Photovoice as an intervention to build resilience, social support, and health-related quality of life among caregivers.The findings revealed that caregivers engaged in self-care activities, sought support from their social networks and healthcare providers, used coping strategies to manage emotional stress, found meaning in their caregiving experiences, and faced physical and emotional demands associated with caregiving.The Photovoice intervention was found to improve caregivers' resilience and HRQOL significantly, but not their social support.Caregivers need assistance to manage the demands of providing care, including preparing for the future, securing help, and navigating agencies and relationships.Healthcare providers need to provide adequate support and resources to help caregivers manage the physical and emotional demands associated with caregiving.

ASPECTS OF FAMILY CAREGIVING
Abstract citation ID: igad104.2974

CHARACTERIZING END-OF-LIFE COMMUNICATION IN FAMILIES Melanie Horning, Towson University, Towson, Maryland, United States
The chronic disease course can be uncertain, contributing to delayed end-of-life discussion within families resulting in missed opportunity to articulate wishes, increased decisional uncertainty, and delayed hospice care.Consistent with the Family Communication Patterns Theory (FCPT), family communication patterns may increase understanding of endof-life discussion, hospice utilization, and may affect the experience of "a good death."This cross-sectional study used a modified Revised Family Communication Pattern instrument

PILOT STUDY OF YIN YOGA AND THE EFFECTS ON BURDEN AND SELF-COMPASSION IN CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA Suzanne
E Parkman, and Jill Olausson, University of Southern Maine, Portland, Maine, United States

M INDEPENDENT. SO FAR...": INVESTIGATING INFORMAL CAREGIVING PATTERNS OF OLDER ADULTS WITH PRIMARY LIVER CANCER Deborah
Watman, Sasha Perez, Yingtong Chen, Sara Lubetsky, and Christopher Woodrell, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, United States